Designing a Baby Hat, Part 2 (the Knit Version)

By now, I’m sure you’re wondering, when are we actually going to start making a hat?!  But, trust me, a little preplanning during the design phase will really help when it comes to the making stage.  And, crocheters, forgive me, but when it comes to hats, the knit version is usually an easier project for a newborn because the extra give and stretchiness will help if sizing is off.  In my next post, we’ll talk about designing a crochet baby hat for a six-month old.

Our first design project is going to be a knit beanie hat for a newborn-to-three month old.  

We’ve gotten a lot accomplished so far:  we’ve picked out just the right yarn for this project (a DK weight super wash wool yarn); we’ve decided what type of baby hat to make (a beanie), and, now, we’re going to figure out what size to make it.  The decision about needle size has kind of been made for us since we decided to use DK yarn, but feel free to experiment with needle sizes during the next step (yarn swatch) to see and feel the different fabrics that result from the changes in needle size.  I suggest that, since we’re making a hat that doesn’t require a “drape” and that we want to be a little denser for warmth, you start with the needle size suggested on the yarn’s wrapper or a size smaller.  I usually use a size 5 (3.75 mm) or size 6 (4.00 mm) needle with DK yarn.

So, as I remarked above, the first step in this process is going to be knitting a little swatch to get familiar with our yarn (I know, I know, no one wants to hear about, much less make, a “gauge swatch” as it is called, but, since we are starting from scratch in designing this baby hat, we’ve got to get a feel for how this yarn is going to operate, especially if we are experimenting with needle sizes).  We’ll want to knit a 4 inch by 4 inch square to see how many stitches in a 4 inch row we get as well as how many rows we get in a 4 inch length.  Once we get a swatch whose fabric we like, we’ll want to wash it to see what that does to our swatch.  Once you wash and block the swatch, you’ll then measure again to see if there’s been any shrinkage or stretch.  

Now that we know what to expect of our yarn, we can start calculating how many stitches we need to cast on for the hat.  An average head circumference for a newborn is around 13.5 inches/34 cm, and baby’s head will grow to about 14.5 inches/37 cm in the first three months.  So, we’re going to average that out to about 14 inches since our knit hat should have enough give in it to stretch as baby grows (and it might be a bit big at first, but not for long!).  

Here’s where some basic math is going to come in handy — we are going to multiply the number of stitches we counted in our 4 inch row by 3.5.  For example, if we had 18 stitches in our gauge swatch, we’ll want to cast on 64 stitches (I know, the math actually came out to 63 stitches, but I like using even numbers).

Oh, I should have mentioned that, with a knit hat, it is easier to start at the brim and knit, then decrease to create the crown.  When we discuss making a crocheted hat, I will suggest starting at the crown and increasing stitches to work our way down to the brim.

Now, here is where the fun and aggravation starts!  Cast on 64 stitches, knit them up and see if you’re getting about 14 inches of outcome.  It’s hard to tell when the stitches are on the needles, but you’ll need to be prepared to experiment with the needle sizes and yarn to see if you’re getting the results you want.  

Decision point:  do you want a ribbed brim or a rolled brim for the beanie?  This is an aesthetic decision, though it too could affect the stitch count and sizing of the hat.  Ribbing makes the hat stretchier, which helps us with the sizing; a rolled brim is just easier in terms of getting started.  I prefer the ribbed brim because I really like the look of using a 2x2 ribbing.  

In the next post, we will talk about stretchy cast-on options and how to plan out the height of the hat to crown to ensure a proportionate hat in terms of width and height and its design elements.

Designing a Baby Hat, Part 1 (General Considerations)

As I’ve discussed in previous posts, one of the first choices I make in designing baby clothes is the yarn choice, both in terms of thickness and fiber (as well as color and price).  But, hand in hand with these choices is a consideration of what it is you want to design and make.  Oh, and of course, whether you want to crochet or knit (or maybe even both!).

Over the years, I’ve usually made a hat and booties as a baby shower gift because they’re the first items that baby is going to need in those first few months and estimating the right sizing is not as difficult.  A blanket is a good choice too, if you have the time to make it (and we’ll talk about blankets and timing of projects in a future post).  As baby grows and develops a personality, then it becomes easier to plan out more elaborate projects, like sweaters, other garments, and toys as well.

 Hats are easier than booties, so let’s start there.  First, what kind of hat do you want to make?  There are a lot of different styles, but here are a few that are perfect for baby:

    1. The beanie - a great choice for baby because it’s easy to get on and off, and it can be adjusted to fit snugly around baby’s head while leaving some room for growth.  Beanies are also great during the creative process because you can use a wide range of rib and stitch patterns, from basic to complex.  Beanies are usually knitted, but there are crochet versions that can work out nicely too.

    2. The ear flap hat - this hat type is similar to the beanie but has flaps that come down over the ears to provide extra warmth and protection from the cold.  Shaping can be a bit of a design challenge, but the ear flap hat is a great choice for crocheters because it’s a more structured hat that’s easier to shape using crochet techniques.  Plus, it’s fun to embellish the hat with braids, tassels, or Pom Poms!

    3. The baby bonnet - if you're looking for a traditional style of baby hat, the bonnet is perfect for both crocheters and knitters.  This type of hat covers the head and ties under the chin, often made with a delicate lace or cable pattern, though simple, sturdy versions are available as well.

    4.  The beret or tam - for a bit of baby flare, the beret or tam is a statement piece that's worn slouchy or slanted on the head.  For this hat, you'll want to use a lighter weight yarn to create a relaxed fabric with drape, and you might want to use some novelty yarns for extra fluff.  This hat works up well in either crochet or knit.

    5. The newsboy cap - another great hat type for baby is the newsboy cap, which has a rounded crown and a visor.  It's more structured and gives the opportunity to use a textured pattern, like basketweave or herringbone, to create a warm and protective hat.  It’s a great project for a crocheter, but there are knit versions as well.

 If you're a beginner to intermediate crocheter, I'd suggest going with the baby bonnet or beret; for knitters, the beanie or bonnet are good choices.  In my next post, we'll talk about making some final decisions on yarn and type of hat; then, we’ll start facing some new decisions to make.  We'll also start talking about sizing and how to take or estimate measurements.

Choosing the Right Yarn for Baby, Part 2

Another important consideration for choosing the right yarn for a baby project is the weight of the yarn.  Again, a lot of initial considerations go into making a good choice: for example, climate where baby lives, ease of care, and the look of the finished piece.

Yarn weight is the measure of thickness of the yarn, which affects the drape, gauge, and finish of your baby project.  Generally, “baby” or “DK” (double knitting) is recommended for use when making baby clothes.  These yarn weights are lighter and more delicate, creating a soft and comfortable fabric for baby’s sensitive skin (especially when combined with the right fibers).  It’s this combination of fiber and thickness that directly affects the care instructions and overall durability of yarn (as well as the size of the crochet hook and/or knitting needles you’ll use for the project).

Worsted weight yarn is a medium weight yarn that is slightly thicker than baby or DK weight yarn.  It’s a popular choice for a lot of different types of crochet and knit projects, but sometimes can be too thick or not drape-y enough for a baby item.  But, if baby does live in a colder climate, worsted weight yarn can create a warm outer garment or blanket that’ll get a lot of use.  Be sure to follow the care instructions to ensure that the item is safe and comfortable for baby.

In my next post, we’ll explore some good combinations of yarn weight and fibers to make a baby hat, which might be the first project in creating baby’s first year wardrobe that you want to undertake because it’s a great newborn gift and shouldn’t take too long to make.  

Choosing the Right Yarn for Baby, Part 1

There are a lot of decisions to make when starting a new crochet or knit project, but I tend to start with my yarn choice and let it drive my decisions from there (we'll be talking over the next few weeks about other options for the starting point).

The yarn choice for a baby project is especially important because there are some additional considerations to keep in mind than just softness against baby's skin: How easy is it to care for? How much will it cost to complete the project? How will it stand up to the test of time?

There are basically two choices, a natural fiber or a synthetic one.  Each has its benefits and downsides, which you'll need to weigh in making a final decision.  As we start exploring the different items that we will include in baby's first wardrobe, I'll make specific recommendations geared towards each project.  But, for now, here's some general considerations to keep in mind:

    1. Wool - wool is a natural fiber that produces a high quality, soft, and durable yarn for baby items; however, it can be more pricey than some of the other types of yarn and may shrink or felt when washed.  Look for a superwash wool that can be machine washed and dried to add life to the baby item and to make mama's life easier.

    2. Cotton - also a natural fiber that's soft, lightweight, and hypoallergenic, making it a comfortable and airy choice for baby in warmer climates; however, it's not going to provide the warmth that other types of yarn will, and it can stretch and lose its shape over time. 

    3. Bamboo - a sustainable and eco-friendly natural fiber that is soft and hypoallergenic; however, it stretches and loses shape even more than cotton and is not durable over the long term.  It can be expensive as well, but blended yarns with a little bamboo in them can be a good choice.

    4. Acrylic - a synthetic fiber whose quality has improved immensely in recent years.  It is cost effective and easier to care for than natural fibers; however, it may not be as soft and breathable and may not hold its shape over time.

Of course, there are a number of blended fiber yarns these days, which try to combine strengths of various fibers while minimizing the downsides.  In a future post, I’ll dig deeper into good combinations of fibers for baby, but, in my next post, we’ll explore yarn weights and which ones are well-suited for baby projects.

Happy New Year 2023!!

Another year, another chance to start fresh!  This is the year that I'm finally going to make some dreams come true, and I hope you'll join me for the ride.  

I've dreamed of helping crocheters and knitters create beautiful keepsakes for the new babies in their lives (and hopefully for some babies in need as well).  To me, that means providing access to the physical and skill-based tools needed to actually make the items as well as the inspiration to create something meaningful and from the heart.

 

So, this year, we are going to go, step by step together, through all of the decision points on the road to creating an amazing first-year wardrobe for baby.  I'll cover yarn choices, sizing options, pattern decisions, and head-to-toe practicalities to keep baby well-outfitted and the mama happy about the ease of caring for the items.

Please join me Tuesdays and Fridays for this series of blog posts, and, if you sign up in the box to the left, the posts will be delivered right to your inbox.

Thank you for your support through the years and for joining me on our journey through 2023!  Happy New Year!